Pet owners in Pasco County, Florida, are now required to clean up after their pets or face fines.
Pasco County has passed a new Pet Waste Disposal Ordinance that requires pet owners to clean up after their pets when on any public property or another person’s private property.
County officials have also adopted an educational and incentive-based program called “Collar Code” as part of the new pet waste regulations. The goal of the Collar Code is to reduce the negative impacts of irresponsible pet owners who do not pick up after their pets by creating more responsible pet owners through education and outreach programs.
Consequences
Violation of the Ordinance is a civil infraction. It carries a $150 fine for failing to clean up after their pet when on public property or another person’s private property. The new ordi
nance is to help keep Pasco County pet-friendly, promote public health and safety, and prevent damage to the public’s property.
Pasco Board of County Commissioners added that the new ordinance would help to keep the county’s stormwater management systems clean and prevent pollution in the local waterways. This is especially important as Pasco moves forward with its Stormwater Management Plan, which is designed to keep the quality of the county’s waterways and protect them from harmful pollutants.
Pick it up new ordinance would also help to keep Pasco County’s parks, trails, and other recreational areas clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. It’s important for every pet owner to know that pet waste is harmful to the environment, your family, and other pets. Pet waste contains bacteria that can spread disease. Bacteria found in pet waste can make humans sick. Children are at a higher risk for illness because they tend to play outdoors and put their hands in their mouths after touching contaminated soil or grass.
The Pasco County Environmental Protection Division recommends that pet owners keep their pets on a leash when walking outdoors and pick up after them immediately when they do go on the ground. Using plastic bags or containers to pick up pet waste reduces the chance of spreading disease-causing bacteria. Pet waste should be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
Pet Laws From Within the Last Five Years and How These Laws Affect Pet Owners
According to local attorney Robert Sparks, understanding the law around animal and pet treatment is imperative. “We see so many cases where an animal owner is unaware of their obligations. That’s why being a good pet owner means more than giving them care and connection.” Below are more examples of recent laws passed regarding pet ownership and treatment.
1. Animal Cruelty
The Animal Cruelty law was first signed into law in 1966. The law has passed through various amendments, with the latest in 2020. The law prohibits cruelty to animals. The law also protects animals from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
The law has been amended to include other species like birds, fish, etc. The Animal Welfare Department enforces the Animal Cruelty Law. They have a team of officers who investigate complaints against cases of cruelty against animals and prosecute offenders.
If it is found that the animal was tortured, then the owner would be charged with animal cruelty, which is punishable by a fine or imprisonment. Since this law was passed, law enforcement officers have reported and punished many cases of animal cruelty.
2. Mandatory Microchip
The law requires dogs and cats older than five months to be microchipped. The law also mandates owners to register the microchip with the Animal Welfare Department. The law also requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies.
The law also mandates owners to register the microchip with the Animal Welfare Department. The law was first passed in 2016 and amended two years later in 2018. Since then, the number of animals being microchipped has increased significantly.
The pet owner is required to present the microchip number to the Animal Welfare Department. If there are any changes in the microchip or ownership, the owner is supposed to report to the department.
3. Mandatory Spaying and Neutering
The law that the owner must spay or neuter any dog or cat was amended in 2019. Some states in the U.S have made this law mandatory, while others are making it optional. The law is meant to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats.
The law aims at protecting society from the health risks of unwanted pets. It also reduces the number of homeless animals. The law is meant to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats and take care of the animals left behind once their owners no longer want them.
Some states have imposed fines on those who do not comply with the law, while others have imposed penalties.
4. Pet Store
The law became effective on 1st January 2021. The law prohibits pet stores from adopting or selling pets from any shelter or pound. The store shops can only hold animals awaiting adoption from animal rescue groups, shelters, or public animal control agencies.
The law also prevents the sale of pets that government adoption agencies have not approved. The law applies to all stores selling pets, not just pet shops. The law is meant to stop the sale of sick or unwanted animals and to protect the public from the health risks associated with buying such animals.
This law requires that all dogs and cats at pet stores be displayed for adoption to be scrutinized, and the adoption fee paid to the adoption agency. This law also requires the pet store owner to be licensed and the animals in their store to be vaccinated and microchipped.
5. Domestic Violence
This provision of the law was enacted in 2020. The court awards the temporary petitioner custody, care, or control of the animal. It may also temporarily prohibit the respondence from accessing, transferring, encumbering, disposing, or concealing the animal. This provision is meant to allow the pet owner to get temporary custody of their animal and prevent the abuser from accessing the animal.
The provision does not apply to animals bonafide for agricultural purposes. It is important to note that this provision applies only during the pendency of a petition for temporary custody and care of an animal. It does not prevent a party from obtaining permanent custody over an animal after the court’s final determination on custody.
Final Thoughts
Keep up to date on your legal obligations as a pet owner to ensure you’re their for your animals for the long term.